Dust & Smoke :: Related Earth Observatory Articles
When the Dust Settles
Each year, several hundred million tons of African dust are transported
westward over the Atlantic to the Caribbean, Central America, and South
America. Summer storms and accompanying warm air can lift dust as high
as 15,000 feet above the African deserts, and then out across the Atlantic.
From the Dust Bowl to the Sahel
A severe drought combined with poor soil conservation practices can lead
to extreme topsoil erosion, with devastating effects on the land. This is just
what happened in the Great Plains region of the U.S. during the 1930s
Dust Bowl years.
What Are Aerosols? Fact Sheet
Aerosols are tiny particles suspended
in the air. Some occur naturally,
originating from volcanoes, dust
storms, forest and grassland fires,
living vegetation, and sea spray.
Human activities, such as the burning
of fossil fuels and the alteration of
natural surface cover, also generate
aerosols.
A Burning Question
Although cloud reflective properties and their effects on the global
radiation balance have long captivated scientific interest, atmospheric
aerosols are less well-studied.
Related Links: Fires, Floods, General, Severe Storms, Volcanoes
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![Crops and Drought Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/drought_label.gif)
![Dust and Smoke Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/dust_label.gif)
![Fires Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/fire_label.gif)
![Floods Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/flood_label.gif)
![Severe Storms Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/storm_label.gif)
![Volcanoes Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/volcano_label.gif)
![Unique Imagery Section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080924132052im_/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Images/Icons/unique_label.gif)
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